Mold fabrication and modification using hybrid processes of selective laser cladding and milling

Direct metal prototype and mold fabrication using rapid prototyping technology is expected in the application of functional prototypes and tooling applications, the rapid prototyping system having already been successfully applied in several industries. Metal rapid prototypes and molds fabricated using hybrid processes of selective laser cladding (SLC) and milling are presented in this paper. The design and construction of the hybrid processes of SLC and milling is also introduced. The fabricated mold was evaluated using a metal powder injection molding machine to produce a metal powder part. Also, this mold was modified using this hybrid process to demonstrate the feasibility of repair and modification of a mold using the hybrid processes of SLC and milling. Finally this modified mold was evaluated using an injection molding machine again. The fabrication and modification of metal prototypes and molds is promising using the hybrid processes of SLC and milling introduced in this paper. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.